Chief Stipe

Ellicazoom, a half-sister to new South Island stallion El Doute, ended a frustrating day on a high f… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Hiflyer’s trainer Peter Lock is counting down the days to his return to Hawke’s Bay for the Gr. 1 Wi… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Jockey Damian Lane has had his joy of riding Humidor to victory in the Gr. 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfi… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Victoria's premier trainer Darren Weir is planning to run Night's Watch in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Sta… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Motu Speedy Star defied his veteran status with a front-running win at 14-years-old at Forbury Park … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

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No joke.

They had a message on the site yesterday that they were doing "maintenance" tonight - something about changing the site to "Love Racing"...... however there shouldn't be any need to have a site offline for that long. Most IT professionals have a pre-prod environment that they copy in minutes to production....

If you include turnover on overseas racing on a code basis it is easily manipulated. Who decides what races to show? Not only would changes kill dog racing but also harness in NZ. Note that the report contends 20 out 48 racecourses should go. What does that tell you given that those courses are galloping courses!?

Messara's report monumental By Jonny Turner 86 19 Sport Racing Shocking, surprising and stunning is how I would sum up the unveiling of John Messara’s racing industry report on Thursday, wrties Jonny Turner. And its impact should mean that August 30, 2018 will go down as the most monumental date in New Zealand racing history. For the thoroughbred code, it should spell the beginning of its revival to something the country can be proud of. Messara has a plan to double stakes — that news is probably better than even the wildly optimistic would have predicted. There was little surprise that overhauling the New Zealand Racing Board and outsourcing the TAB were suggested as income boosters for racing. Messara should be applauded for recommending New Zealand’s gambling levy be dropped, too. If these combine to double racing revenue, then there is little doubt Thursday will be looked back on as a historic day and Messara will be lauded as a hero. Instead of jumping up and down and cheering these positive moves, I am left pondering the very nature of the report Messara was charged with writing. Because, let’s be honest, it is as bizarre as it is monumental. Messara was charged with writing a report specifically focused on thoroughbred racing and he did a fine job. His carefully considered recommendations will rejuvenate that code. Hopefully, they will have some coincidental benefit for harness and greyhound racing. Step back for a second and wonder how bizarre does it get that a formal, wide-ranging and landmark review talks to only one part of the racing sector? Why were the harness racing and greyhound codes treated with utter disdain by Winston Peters, who set the brief for the review? In what other bizarre universe could this possibly happen? Would there be a car industry review that recommended ways to boost the sales of Toyotas and Nissans? Would there be a dairy farming review that explains how to improve the milk production of Friesian cows, with no mention of other breeds? Why not issue a directive to investigate three codes? Why not make the whole racing industry — to steal a quote — great again! Obviously, Peters and Messara have assured the two poorer codes they will be better off if the recommendations in the report are enacted. That’s nice. I think they will be and I am excited about that prospect. But I would have preferred a long list of strategies to boost both codes and as to how the racing industry as a whole can thrive. I would have preferred a democratically elected government and their officials to have acted fairly towards each racing code. Why did that not happen? There are plenty of sinister explanations that have been debated since the report’s release. It’s the most obvious conclusion to be drawn — Peters favours the thoroughbred code and the people in it that have staunchly supported him. If that is the case, it stinks. But if it’s not, I am extremely intrigued to hear what the real reason is. I will wait patiently, like the harness and dog racing folk did for some good news in Hamilton on Thursday night. Hopefully, I get more answers than they did. Let’s end on a lighter note. How good was the question after Peters’ speech from the dog trainer asking if her greyhound was classed as a pet or a working dog. That was gold. Happy trails. jonny.turner@odt.co.nz

Racing clubs vow to fight By Jonny Turner 460 29 Sport Racing John Messara, whose report recommends seven tracks from Timaru south should be phased out. Photo: Bradley Photographers Lower South Island racing clubs have vowed to fight to keep their racecourses open, following the shock call for their closure on Thursday. The clubs claim the recommended axing of their courses came without thorough investigation of the effect on their communities. Australian administrator John Messara has struck at the heart of country South Island horse racing with his report, which recommends seven tracks from Timaru south should stop holding thoroughbred race meetings. Timaru, Kurow, Oamaru, Waimate, Omakau, Winton and Gore are identified as tracks which should be phased out. Central Otago Racing club president Tony Lepper said the proposed closure of the Omakau thoroughbred track was "a kick in the guts for rural Central Otago." Mr Lepper planned to talk to his committee about how they could retain thoroughbred racing at Omakau. Gore Racing Club president Justine Abernethy said its racecourse would not close without a fight from the local community. Officials from thoroughbred and harness racing clubs in Eastern Southland had started talks about the future of the course, she said. Messara visited Gore racecourse when he was researching for his report, but appeared not to give it thorough consideration as he was there for "about five minutes", Abernethy said. Gore Racing Club and Gallop South officials were waiting for the Australian to arrive and he was gone before they got a chance to say hello, she said. "We were waiting for Mr Messara to come and meet with us and he drove in and drove out. He didn’t have a look around the facility or anything. He has made a decision without looking at the big picture. "But you need to understand what this facility means to the community and where are trainers going to go that are in Eastern Southland." Mr Messara’s report outlines how the racing industry will save money from the closure of courses. He suggests that affected clubs can race at other courses. Ms Abernethy said moving away from its home area would spell financial disaster for the Gore Racing Club. "Once we move our race meetings outside of our area we can’t take that money outside of our area. For our sponsors, our supporters and the people that have supported us, we are not just going to say that is it for the Gore Racing Club." Mr Lepper said Central Otago Racing Club would also lose out if it held meetings away from home. "They talk about us racing at Cromwell, but we use local sponsors and local people and we may be able keep the enthusiasm up to chase around to and get sponsors for a while, but it is hard when you move." "In time that will wear us out and the club will disappear." Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said news of the recommended phasing out of local racecourses — Timaru, Kurow, Oamaru, and Waimate — was both "a bit of a surprise" and disappointing. "They’re really cleaning out our area," Mr Kircher said. "They’re gutting the South Canterbury-North Otago area." Due to some involvement with the Oamaru Racecourse committee he knew it had plans for development which were now obviously in doubt.The racecourses hosted days that were a big deal for their communities. "It’s also disappointing for the racing fraternity those with up-and-coming horses that want to race them locally, they aren’t going to have somewhere in Waitaki, Waimate or Timaru that they can go to any longer." Mr Messara’s landmark report has provided the racing industry with a blueprint for wide-sweeping legislative and structural change. The recommendations in the report look set to be followed by Racing Minister Winston Peters, who clinched government support for the New Zealand First racing policy in its coalition agreement with Labour. Mr Messara has recommended that thoroughbred racing clubs are stripped of any claims they have over the ownership of their racecourses so the tracks can be sold by racing authorities.Those sales would help maintain the tracks he thinks should hold race meetings. His report refers to the sale of thoroughbred tracks and does not specifically refer to harness racing and greyhound venues. Should the recommended legislation be written in a manner which allows racing authorities to cease any racetrack, harness racing tracks could be sold. Complicating the matter is harness racing clubs own part of some of the country’s racecourses used for thoroughbred racing.

In my opinion that is completely wrong and sends the wrong market signals. It is based on the contention that because racing a Thoroughbred is more expensive they should get a bigger slice of the pie. I'm sure national sporting bodies won't stand by this time and get shafted i.e. they'll seek a fairer share of the pie than they currently get.

Is Manukau one of the tracks they are going to keep?

Are you saying that stakes paid does not equal net revenue earned?

Not sure I agree with you 100% Reefton. Four NZ breds won at Caulfield and one at Randwick yesterday. At least two of those had NZ ownership.

The rule of thumb with outsourcing is don't outsource the management of a key strategic function.

You sound like you are resigned to no hope.

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 9 (GRAPHITE DEVELOPMENTS LTD SHOW DAY MOBILE PACE 1980m), Information A9985 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 869(2) and stated that: "K Cox (DELIGHTFUL TANNER) used her whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of Whip ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 4 (CANTERBURY TROTTING OWNERS PACE 2600m), Information A9984 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 869(2) and stated that: "L McKay (MARTIN JOHN) used her whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of Whip Regulations". Rule ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

The enigmatic but popular Tom Melbourne has again come close to a win, but has been denied twice in … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Native Soldier has moved to the second line of Caulfield Guineas betting after trouncing his McNeil … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Chris Waller holds Unforgotten in high esteem, but he won't put the mare against stable star Winx ag… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Darren Weir says it takes a decent horse to be a three-time Group One winner. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Winx was the headline act amongst a Chris Waller Group One line-up in raceday outings at Randwick to… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Winston Peters gives racing donors inside running on plans at $600-a-head dinner 0 JOHN SELKIRK / STUFF Horse breeder Graham Bax was at the same table as Winston Peters at the Tauranga Club; his daughter Kylie Bax was at the Racing Minister's Claudelands announcement the next day. Winston Peters disclosed plans to restructure the racing industry to guests at a $600-a-head party fundraiser, before announcing details to affected staff at his own Racing Board. NZ First and four of its senior MPs hosted the dinner a the Tauranga Club on Wednesday night, 24 hours before the release of a controversial racing industry review. The Deputy Prime Minister – who is also Racing Minister – promised his guests they would be pleased with the outcome. About 80 business leaders were present, a significant number of them from the thoroughbred and bloodstock industry, but also a mining contingent led by former Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove, and Sistema plasticware founder Brendan Lindsay. At the dinner, Peters promised to restructure the NZ Racing Board – something his donors and supporters in the bloodstock industry have been demanding. READ MORE: * Jonathan Milne: Prawns, porkbarrel and horse meat * Officials warned against racing tax breaks * Tax breaks and track for racing industry backers * Jonathan Milne: Some left to smell the fumes Peters said the racing industry was in a very poor state and needed help, and the restructuring recommended by Australian racing expert John Messara would provide that. DOMINICO ZAPATA / STUFF Racing Minister Winston Peters releases the Messara racing review at Claudelands Conference Centre in Hamilton. Peters was joined by his MPs Shane Jones, Fletcher Tabuteau and Clayton Mitchell, who organised the event. The following night at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton, he fronted up to the TV cameras and the NZ Racing Board to announce details of the restructuring proposals, as well as plans to outsource the TAB to be run by an Australian betting agency. Speaking to Stuff on Saturday night, Peters insisted he did not reveal any compromising details at the dinner. "I didn't go into it," he said. "Why would I, I was releasing it the next day ... I would be letting the side down if I did." Peters said he had no intention of releasing details of the report before it was given to the New Zealand Racing Board "lock, stock and barrel" the following day. Ad Feedback IAIN McGREGOR / STUFF Racing TV presenter Karyn Fenton-Ellis with husband David Ellis. As Racing Minister, he had commissioned John Messara, a top administrator and stud owner in Australia, to review the New Zealand racing industry, which has been in an ailing state for the past decade. Some of Messara's recommendations include renaming and restructuring the NZ Racing Board as Wagering NZ, with responsibilities devolving to individual codes. It also recommends reducing the number of racetracks around the country from 48 to 28, building the three synthetic tracks, and increasing prize money to over $100 million a year Guests at the dinner said he didn't give details of what was in the report, but he did say he was behind the recommended restructuring. IAIN McGREGOR / STUFF Jo and Brendan Lindsay, who has focused on his horse racing empire since selling off Sistema, the plastics company he founded. Blandford Farm breeder Graham Bax said Peters and Mitchell spoke about the report coming out and told the crowd they were behind it. That was pleasing: "It's time the rural communities were given back to. They have started on racing and that's a big thing. It's got to be positive doesn't it? Anything is better than nothing." His daughter, former supermodel-turned-breeder Kylie Bax, attended the Claudelands announcement the following evening. "This restructuring is absolutely what the industry needs," she said. "Some people won't be happy but a lot of people are thrilled. It's a positive report and needs to be implements, otherwise we won't have a racing industry. "I applaud Winston Peters. He's really set out to help the industry and stretched his neck out and gone the extra mile. It can put the racing industry back on a positive financial footing. "There's nobody more passionate about the industry than Winston. Waikato is a big part of the racing industry and we support Winston however we can." David and Karyn Fenton Ellis, from Waikato's Te Akau stud, were also at the dinner. David Ellis said it was about time the Government showed some support for racing. "All they have done in racing is take, take, take, they haven't appreciated the significant employment opportunities our industry gives people." Haunui Farms managing director Mark Chitty said he was at a table of eight people with racing interests including Brendan Lindsay (the Sistema plastics founder), Nelson Schick and Brent Taylor. "Everyone knew the report had been commissioned so we were aware of it but Peters didn't say anything about the report in detail." "We need to embrace the recommendations and change what we have been doing. Something drastically has to be done in the industry as it is dying a slow death." The industry produced "very good horses and very good people" but the bureaucratic structure of the industry had served the racing community very poorly, Chitty said. "The current structure is archaic and no longer relevant." - Sunday Star Times